Exemptions removed as hosepipe ban extended

South East Water (SEW) is to implement further hosepipe restrictions for its customers across Sussex.

From Friday, in order to "protect water supplies and the environment", it is removing previous exemptions to the temporary ban which came into place this summer.

This includes those on SEW's Priority Services Register, such as the blind or those with chronic or serious illness - although an exemption remains in cases of unavoidable health and safety reasons and where the welfare of animals is paramount.

SEW has also applied for a ban on all non-essential "commercial and non-household" water usage (NEUB), blaming what it called the "prolonged period of warm and dry weather" earlier this year.

The NEUB ban will require approval by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, SEW said.

A spokesperson for the water company added that its application for a drought permit to conserve water at Ardingly Reservoir has been granted by the Environment Agency.

The reservoir, which is near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, serves 280,000 customers and its levels are described by SEW as "exceptionally low for this time of year".

The company said the permit would allow a reduction in how much additional water is released from Ardingly into the Shell Brook tributary of the River Ouse, "reducing the minimum flow of water that must remain in the river at Barcombe Mills after water has been taken from it for customers".

Nick Price, SEW head of water resources, said spring and summer had left the ground "very dry and reduced flows in local streams and rivers".

"These conditions have resulted in the water levels of our Sussex reservoirs becoming extremely low, especially Ardingly, which has moved further into drought.

"This is why we need to take these extra steps now," he added, apologising should the restrictions "cause concern for some of our customers".

"Our absolute priority is making sure there is always enough water for everyone's essential daily needs," said Price.

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